Public Employee Press

You can save lives by signing an organ donation form

PEP Art Director Alyce Archer and husband, Steve, celebrated the 10th anniversary of a special event in their lives with an August trip to Hawaii. Steve was able to experience the natural beauty of the island paradise thanks to a gift someone gave him in 1998 — a liver.

Organ donors are in great demand, and the procedures for donating have been simplified. An important change in state law has led to a new form that could increase the number of donors.

Assembly member Richard L. Brodsky recently asked the union to include in PEP information on the new “Donate Life” form and related issues for organ, eyeand tissue donor programs.

Brodsky has been deeply involved in this issue since his daughter Willie was able to receive a life-saving kidney.

“We are happy to publicize the new form and any other information that will contribute to our members’ quality of life,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.

The need is great and donor enrollment programs are severely underutilized.Enrollment doesn’t cost a thing — and by registering as a donor you can save lives. Actually, one person can save up to 60 lives through organ and tissue donation.

You can enroll online in the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, a confidential database administered by the New York State Dept. of Health. So act now. You can get the form and more information at www.donatelifeny.org, theWeb site of the New York Organ Donor Network.